In addition to rebuffing Sheriff Dan Minzey's bid for a chance at a third term, voters in Tuesday's primary election made a clean sweep in Pittsfield Township's government, and nearly so in Scio Township, according to the unofficial results.

In Ypsilanti Township, long-time Clerk Brenda Stumbo appears headed for a promotion, getting 25 percent more votes than incumbent Ruth Ann Jamnick for the Democratic nomination for the supervisor's job.

The supervisors in Salem Township and Lyndon Township also lost their jobs.

In the City of Ypsilanti, voters returned one incumbent and turned out another. But the overall result was a rejection of Mayor Paul Schreiber-supported candidates.

If there was an exception, it was in the City of Ann Arbor. The only incumbent seeking re-election lost, but the four wards where there were contested races all went to candidates favored by Mayor John Hieftje.

Political activists in the City of Ann Arbor did "very good candidate recruitment," said Washtenaw County Clerk Larry Kestenbaum. "Not just the people who won."

Voter turnout countywide was around 16 percent, with 41,222 ballots cast. In August 2004, some 37,000 Washtenaw County residents voted. Two years later - in a year that did not include township races - 43,000 took part.

Like mayors, township supervisors are lightning rods for whatever's happening in a community, said Kestenbaum, a longtime political observer and creator of the Web site politicalgraveyard.com.

"Whatever happens - a building project, a plant opening or closing - they're always blamed," Kestenbaum said. "That position become the focus for discontent with life in the community in general.

"In Ypsilanti Township, a community hard hit by the economic downturn, job losses and foreclosures, it's no surprise to see the incumbent supervisor defeated," he said. "These are things that aren't her fault, but if it's on your watch, you take the hit for it."

The large number of candidates in primary races suggests a renewed interest in public affairs, Kestenbaum said. "I'm cheered by it ... All the townships had good candidates to choose from."